2000 Virginia Bramble and Blueberry Field Day


TO: Small Fruit Producers, Prospective Producers, Extension Professionals, Researchers
And Other Interested Persons.


FROM: Herbert D. Stiles, Extension Horticulturist



SUBJECT: 2000 Virginia Bramble & Blueberry Day (Thursday, July 13).


Information on arrangements and agenda for the 2000 Virginia Bramble & Blueberry Day are attached. Please help us by publicizing this educational program among your clients and colleagues who may benefit from it. Let me know if there is anything that I can do to assist you in this task or if you need clarifications of the accompanying materials.

An outstanding group of speakers has accepted our invitations to participate in this event, and we hope that you will use this opportunity to learn from them.

Thanks for your consideration and cooperation in this matter.


2000 VIRGINIA BRAMBLE AND BLUEBERRY DAY - ARRANGEMENTS


WHEN & WHERE:

2000 Virginia Bramble & Blueberry Day will occur (rain or shine) at Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center, near Blackstone, on July 13.
Pre-registration by July 10 is requested to assist in arranging for lunches, etc.
Pre-registration can be accomplished by U.S. mail, E-mail (rasbry@vt.edu) or telephone calls & voice mail (804-292-5331) or FAX (804-292-5623) to Herbert D. Stiles or Margaret J. Kenny at Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
Registration will take place from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the small fruits plots on Military Highway (if the weather is clear) or at the Center's auditorium if it is raining.
A registration fee ($10/participant) will be collected at the time of registration to cover the cost of lunch, some of our meeting materials, and related expenses.
The program will begin at 9:00 a.m. and adjourn by 4:30 p.m.

WHAT & WHO:

This meeting will include updates on integrated crop management tools, breeding, and other small fruits work by Extension Specialists and Researchers in Virginia and neighboring States.

Producers from North Carolina, New Jersey and West Virginia will share their perspectives and practical experiences in production and marketing.

Participants are encouraged to discuss or ask questions about production practices and situations that may apply to their own operations.

TRAVEL INSTRUCTIONS (see map):
Morning Session: from its intersection with Blackstone's North Main Street (Bus. 460), travel 1 1/2 miles east on Rt.40 to a blinker light at Military Highway, turn left (north) and go 6/10 mi. to our plots.
Afternoon Session (and Morning Session if raining): from Military Highway, go 3/4 mile further east on Rt. 40 to SPAREC's sign, turn left onto our access road for parking. Auditorium entrance is on the main building's east side (closest to Rt. 40).

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Dr. Herbert D. Stiles or Dr. James L. Jones at (804) 292-5331 during business hours (M-F; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to discuss accommodations at least 7 business days prior to the event.

Virginia Cooperative Extension Programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, veteran status, national origin, disability, or political affiliation. An equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Dave Barrett, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Lorenza W. Lyons, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.
2000 VIRGINIA BRAMBLE & BLUEBERRY DAY - AGENDA JULY 13

TIME & PLACE TOPIC, SPEAKERS, etc.

8:30-9:00 Field Register & obtain meal ticket

9:00-9:10 Field Orientation - Herb Stiles, Va. Tech, SPAREC Extens. Hort. - Fruit

9:10-9:25 Field Welcome - James L. Jones, Va. Tech, SPAREC Director

9:25-9:40 Field Small Fruits - The Big Picture -Ervin Lineberger, small fruit producer (wholesale, farm mkt., & P-Y-O), Killdeer Farm, Kings Mtn., N.C., Region 7 Rep., North American Bramble Growers Assoc. (NABGA).

9:40-10:30 Field Tour research plots with discussions of:
- stabilization of bramble floricanes on shift-trellis wires
- primocane management
- poly acrylamide gels store water for raspberry plant growth?

10:30-10:45 Travel to Auditorium (Aud) at SPAREC main building on Rte. 40.

10:45-10:55 Aud break

10:55-11:40 Aud Opportunities for Blueberry Producers in the "Upper South."
Bill Cline, Plant Path. NCSU, Hort. Crops Res. Sta., Castle Hayne

11:40-12:00 Aud What Do Customers Want? - Mark Ciotoli, proprietor, THE BERRY FARM, Colts Neck, N.J., Region 4 Rep., and past-Pres., NABGA.

12:00-12:15 Aud Self-Introduction Of Participants.

12:15 -1:15 Aud LUNCH (meal ticket must have been purchased during registration).

1:15 - 1:35 Aud Small Fruit Weed Management Update - Jeff Derr, Extension Weed Sci., Hort. Crops, Va. Tech, Hampton Roads AREC, Va. Beach.

1:35 - 2:20 Aud Bramble Production and Marketing Practices at Sinks Grove, W. Va. - Marshall and Addie Ritter, proprietors, MORGAN ORCHARDS.
2:20 - 2:35 Aud break

2:35 - 3:00 Aud North Carolina Bramble Industry Update - Gina Fernandez, Small Fruit Specialist, NCSU, Vernon G. James Res.& Ext. Ctr., Plymouth,N.C.

3:00 - 3:30 Aud Small Fruit Production and Marketing at Kings Mountain, N.C. - Ervin Lineberger, proprietor, Killdeer Farm, Region 7 Rep., NABGA.

3:30 - 3:50 Aud Bramble and Blueberry Pest Management Update - Doug Pfeiffer, Extension Entomologist, Dept of Entomol., Va. Tech. , Blacksburg

3:50 - 4:20 Aud New Bramble Varieties and Mid-Atlantic Regional Program Update - Harry Swartz, Horticulturist, Breeder and Biotechnologist, Dept. NRS&LA, U. Md., College Park.
4:20 - 4:30 Aud Closing comments, collect evaluation forms & adjourn -- H. Stiles.